Sunday, December 20, 2009
How Musicals Developed To What They Are Today
A musical can be in the form of a theatrical production or a movie, either of which uses songs and dancing as a means to tell the story. There are many types of musical theater, such as comedy drama, dramas, and others. They use music to tell their story. Musicals have always had a stage presence, but it has made its way into movies as well. If you have never seen a musical theater production or drama comedy, then you are missing out on a cool treat. There are three main parts to musical theater; the music, the lyrics and the book. Music and lyrics are easy to understand, and the book is just an expression for the real storyline. Musicals are different from operas because there is talking in the show, whereas operas incorporate only songs. Musical theater dates back as far as ancient Greece, with their drama comedies. In the golden age of the musical, musical movies were being made all the time. An actor or actress could actually have several musical movies in their acting career. Nearly all the hot movies back then were musical in nature. Now, however, that has faded and movie casting today has little to do with musical talent.The history of musicals is quite interesting as well. The concept of musical theater started with the Greeks. Some have dated this as far back as the 5th century B.C. Europe quickly stole this form of theater, and created the traveling musical troupe. By the Renaissance period, comedy drama was increasing popular in Europe. These were quickly turned into comedic operas and ballad operas. Each of these two styles had their unique features. It wasn't until the 1860s that the form of modern musical theater was considered to be created. This originated with the musical "The Black Crook," which was created in New York. Of course, musical theater took off rapidly from there. During WWI, the operetta was very popular on Broadway. However, by the late 1920s, films were providing a serious challenge to the world of theater. By the 1950s and 60s, the musical theater, as it is known today, was going strong and has not changed too much since.So that is where musicals came from, and how they developed to what they are today. You can tell anyone about the basic musical form, and some of the history of the musical. Back in the hay-day of musical theater, many dramatic movie actors were involved as well, but that has faded away.
How to Develop a Good Musical Ear
What do we mean when we say that someone "has a good ear?" Actually, the term can mean several things. When someone has a good ear, they can accomplish at least one of the following:
1) they can identify, usually by note name, the various pitches that they hear, and sing those pitches in tune;2) they can identify chords by name; and/or3) they can identify instruments or combinations of instruments within a musical work.
Having a good ear is something that most musicians strive for. Having a bad ear means that you can't recognize or label the music you are hearing - an important skill for performers and composers.
I run a songwriting website, (The Essential Secrets of Songwriting ), and I know how important a good ear is. If you are a songwriter, having a good ear is vital because the best way to improve your songwriting craft is to listen to the music of the professionals. But if you can't really identify what you are hearing, you're missing out on opportunities to improve. Throughout my years as a music teacher, I have observed something interesting and very important. The marks that my students make in music theory studies are usually very close to the marks they receive in ear training. And more than that, I can usually gauge how a student is going to do in one course by looking at their progress in the other. For example, students who do well in theory but poorly in ear training will usually see their ear training marks rise over time. And students who have great ears but weak theory skills will generally experience better marks in theory over time. In other words, music theory and ear training go hand in hand. The first and most important thing you can do to improve your ear is to improve your theory skills. Why? When you understand how music is structured, your ears have a reason for what they are hearing.
Here's one good example. In any key, there are three or four certain chords that work well to reinforce that key, and are more likely to occur than any other chords. Knowledge of theory helps you know and identify those chords. So when you are listening to music and trying to identify the chords you are hearing, you can focus in the most likely choices. Besides improving your theory skills, here are some other pieces of advice for you:
1) Try some of the ear training websites that are out there. Just do a search for "online ear training" and you'll find lots of resources that can help.
2) Try purchasing some ear training software. These days, most university aural perception programs incorporate computerized training into their curriculum.
3) Try writing down the melodies that you hear being played. Transcribing music in this manner actually does not require strong music reading skills, and you will find that what skills you do possess will improve greatly and quickly. Take a simple song, and play it on your CD player a bit at a time, writing down whatever notes you hear. Even if you aren't sure of the rhythms, write whatever pitches you can. If you're stuck on a note, find it on your guitar or piano, and then write it down. This is the best ear training exercise there is!
Practicing your instrument is crucial to becoming a better musician. But be certain that you don't neglect your ear!
1) they can identify, usually by note name, the various pitches that they hear, and sing those pitches in tune;2) they can identify chords by name; and/or3) they can identify instruments or combinations of instruments within a musical work.
Having a good ear is something that most musicians strive for. Having a bad ear means that you can't recognize or label the music you are hearing - an important skill for performers and composers.
I run a songwriting website, (The Essential Secrets of Songwriting ), and I know how important a good ear is. If you are a songwriter, having a good ear is vital because the best way to improve your songwriting craft is to listen to the music of the professionals. But if you can't really identify what you are hearing, you're missing out on opportunities to improve. Throughout my years as a music teacher, I have observed something interesting and very important. The marks that my students make in music theory studies are usually very close to the marks they receive in ear training. And more than that, I can usually gauge how a student is going to do in one course by looking at their progress in the other. For example, students who do well in theory but poorly in ear training will usually see their ear training marks rise over time. And students who have great ears but weak theory skills will generally experience better marks in theory over time. In other words, music theory and ear training go hand in hand. The first and most important thing you can do to improve your ear is to improve your theory skills. Why? When you understand how music is structured, your ears have a reason for what they are hearing.
Here's one good example. In any key, there are three or four certain chords that work well to reinforce that key, and are more likely to occur than any other chords. Knowledge of theory helps you know and identify those chords. So when you are listening to music and trying to identify the chords you are hearing, you can focus in the most likely choices. Besides improving your theory skills, here are some other pieces of advice for you:
1) Try some of the ear training websites that are out there. Just do a search for "online ear training" and you'll find lots of resources that can help.
2) Try purchasing some ear training software. These days, most university aural perception programs incorporate computerized training into their curriculum.
3) Try writing down the melodies that you hear being played. Transcribing music in this manner actually does not require strong music reading skills, and you will find that what skills you do possess will improve greatly and quickly. Take a simple song, and play it on your CD player a bit at a time, writing down whatever notes you hear. Even if you aren't sure of the rhythms, write whatever pitches you can. If you're stuck on a note, find it on your guitar or piano, and then write it down. This is the best ear training exercise there is!
Practicing your instrument is crucial to becoming a better musician. But be certain that you don't neglect your ear!
Advice for Future Music College-bound Students
These days, there are a number of opportunities for careers in the Music Industry. While there are many choices for residential professional training, have you considered studying at a distance? It can have many advantages such as affordability, but the choices are fewer. One such school you may wish to consider is the US School of Commercial Music (www.usschoolofmusic.com), a college offering complete programs for Music Industry careers and serious avocations.The purpose of this article is to suggest an approach whereby you can evaluate online schools, particularly those offering music courses. There is an obvious financial advantage to studying at home, but can you really get a thorough education that way? The following principles may be used to compare whether any distance school has a relevant approach. There are a number of factors. An online college should have:Complete wide-ranging programs that are fun, thorough and exciting! Special relevant courses unavailable elsewhere. Better, more up-to-date materials, technologies and assignments. Nearly-instant feedback on each assignment via the internet. An incomparably thorough hands-on learning experience.While these principles apply to all schools, this article applies specifically to online music colleges. Let's take each of these topics in turn in an analysis of music education:To determine whether a school is good for you, perhaps the first question to ask is *not* about accredidation, which is virtually meaningless in the Music Industry, and which can be achieved by easy affiliation without intrinsic merit, but whether a school is really a college or simply pretends to be one. That is, does the school have complete soup-to-nuts integrated programs or is it a hollow shell of unrelated or sub-college courses? While a single course or two can be fun, is it really college-level training? If it's not, is it really a good investment of time and money? This article lists some of the advantages of a true college such as USSCM.Perhaps the second question one might have is whether the program offered is relevant to working in the part of today's Music Industry to which you are attracted. For example, some colleges offer only Music Therapy degrees, which is great if that's what you want. Beyond that, does the school offer some really unique courses as part of its curriculum? For example USSCM offers unique certificate courses as electives in its programs. See http://www.usschoolofmusic.com/catalog/certificate_programs.html?universals.Most colleges, by their nature, are not designed to upgrade their courses and materials frequently. This creates a hysteresis, a 'lateness' in the relevancy of the courses that can actually be measured. Schools sometimes refer to this as a "legacy," but it often turns schools into 'conservatories' which preserve the methods of the past. To counteract this tendency, USSCM updates its materials twice yearly in coordination with the research provided by NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants. Perhaps no other college can make that claim.A distance school should use technology for the things that it does best, not just for convenience or economies of scale that boost the bottom line by allowing fewer teachers to handle greater numbers of students. There is an exciting, better way that USSCM staff has developed to teach and train the skills and knowledge needed by a professional musician or serious musical hobbyist. In order to take advantage of the power of technology without it's distraction, USSCM has internally developed proprietary software which allows its teachers to communicate asynchronously but in near-real time, to make the learning feedback loop as small as possible. Schools which use technology often distract the students with its complexity or attractiveness, only to result in a slower learning cycle.Finally, perhaps one of the most distracting issues facing music colleges is that students cannot advance rapidly because they only get to perform with their peers, who are invariably at their own level or inferior to it. USSCM's approach is Faculty-Minus-OneT; all students work exclusively with highly-focused recordings by recognized professionals, musicians who make their livings performing music. Even many students at bricks and mortar colleges seldom get this opportunity, because the competition for the time of the best teachers is extreme.>>>>>>The criteria above may be used to evaluate many sorts of distance courses. Use it to determine what is best for you. When it comes to music training, do your homework! USSCM may be better than many of the other choices you may have. USSCM staff enjoys helping musicians progress rapidly to their full potentials and feel this is particularly relevant in today's troubled world, because musicians are universal ambassadors for humanity. USSCM's programs are far more affordable than those of other schools, on or off the internet. Actually, no other college offers full commercial music programs online. If you, or someone you know, may benefit from a college-level program in contemporary music, please come see atwww.usschoolofmusic.com, where you can also build programs, calculate tuition and sign in to receive the USSCM newsletter.After that, please write to me and I will be happy to personally answer your remaining questions, hopefully as a USSCM applicant.
Music for Stress Management
Music has long been known to have an emotional effect on humans. Find out how the music you listen to might be affecting you and how you can use music to manage your stress.
There are so many kinds of music - country western, classical, eastern, rap, pop, hip hop, rock and roll, soul...what kind of music are you listening to, and how is it affecting your level of stress?Music moves us - listening to a sad song can make us feel melancholy, soft jazz piano can calm and soothe us, and rock can make us feel strong, excited, even free. Music has been proven to speed healing, is used in malls to put us in the mood to buy, in churches for inspiration and much more. So can you use music to influence your mood and lower your stress in your daily life? Absolutely.First, consider your general mood. Are you normally stressed, happy, positive, sad, angry, fearful, even shy? Are there consistent times in your life that you would like to change your mood - maybe the drive home from work, or getting up in the morning, or maybe you stress at night, laying in bed, tossing and turning? For me...it's that low energy time around 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon. I've usually been working since six in the morning or so, and I need a little pick up. For me, it could be a little Van Halen or White Snake, or maybe a little Santana. Other people may prefer some upbeat jazz, or pop music. It doesn't really matter, as long as it makes you feel good.How does music influence our mood like this? There are many ways music influences our mood. Music is energy - vibrations that have a certain frequency. As we listen to the music, our brainwaves may adjust to match the vibrations of the music. This is why music can be very effective for meditation and hypnosis, it can actually "entrain" the brain to enter a deeper, or more relaxed, aware state.Your memories may also be part of the influence of music. Many times, the brain stores emotion alongside memories - if a song makes you blue, you might remember a time when you were really sad, and that song came on the radio, virtually anchoring itself to that sad feeling. Your brain would create a direct link between the song and the emotion, so every time you hear the song, that emotion is accessed as well.Words can also have a large effect on us...there may be words in the music that really resonate with you, like in some inspirational songs. You may relate to the story of a song because of a similar experience. These things can strike a chord (pun intended) with you and alter your mood. Many people listen to music in the background while they work, drive or do other things. They are not focused on the music, but their inner mind does take it in. If you listen to music with negative or harsh words or themes, you might want to consider that many times when listening to music, people have a tendency to enter into an altered state of awareness. The conscious mind is distracted with work, but the subconscious, or inner mind, is recording and storing it. This can actually cause you to feel more stress. If you listen to a lot of negative music or other media, consider that it can have a negative effect on your beliefs, thoughts, feelings and actions. Of course, listening to positive music can have a positive effect on your beliefs, thoughts feelings and actions. You can use music as a tool to help you achieve the feelings that you want. If you want to have a more relaxed environment at work, play music that calms you and helps you to focus. There is music that is specifically designed to help you meditate, coaxing your brainwaves into a specific pattern. You can play upbeat music when cleaning the house or exercising. If you're feeling down you can listen to inspirational music.Music can have a big influence on your mood, increasing your ability to relax, making you feel good, increasing your focus and much more. When you choose music for yourself and the people around you, consider how you want to feel, then choose music that can help produce that feeling.
There are so many kinds of music - country western, classical, eastern, rap, pop, hip hop, rock and roll, soul...what kind of music are you listening to, and how is it affecting your level of stress?Music moves us - listening to a sad song can make us feel melancholy, soft jazz piano can calm and soothe us, and rock can make us feel strong, excited, even free. Music has been proven to speed healing, is used in malls to put us in the mood to buy, in churches for inspiration and much more. So can you use music to influence your mood and lower your stress in your daily life? Absolutely.First, consider your general mood. Are you normally stressed, happy, positive, sad, angry, fearful, even shy? Are there consistent times in your life that you would like to change your mood - maybe the drive home from work, or getting up in the morning, or maybe you stress at night, laying in bed, tossing and turning? For me...it's that low energy time around 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon. I've usually been working since six in the morning or so, and I need a little pick up. For me, it could be a little Van Halen or White Snake, or maybe a little Santana. Other people may prefer some upbeat jazz, or pop music. It doesn't really matter, as long as it makes you feel good.How does music influence our mood like this? There are many ways music influences our mood. Music is energy - vibrations that have a certain frequency. As we listen to the music, our brainwaves may adjust to match the vibrations of the music. This is why music can be very effective for meditation and hypnosis, it can actually "entrain" the brain to enter a deeper, or more relaxed, aware state.Your memories may also be part of the influence of music. Many times, the brain stores emotion alongside memories - if a song makes you blue, you might remember a time when you were really sad, and that song came on the radio, virtually anchoring itself to that sad feeling. Your brain would create a direct link between the song and the emotion, so every time you hear the song, that emotion is accessed as well.Words can also have a large effect on us...there may be words in the music that really resonate with you, like in some inspirational songs. You may relate to the story of a song because of a similar experience. These things can strike a chord (pun intended) with you and alter your mood. Many people listen to music in the background while they work, drive or do other things. They are not focused on the music, but their inner mind does take it in. If you listen to music with negative or harsh words or themes, you might want to consider that many times when listening to music, people have a tendency to enter into an altered state of awareness. The conscious mind is distracted with work, but the subconscious, or inner mind, is recording and storing it. This can actually cause you to feel more stress. If you listen to a lot of negative music or other media, consider that it can have a negative effect on your beliefs, thoughts, feelings and actions. Of course, listening to positive music can have a positive effect on your beliefs, thoughts feelings and actions. You can use music as a tool to help you achieve the feelings that you want. If you want to have a more relaxed environment at work, play music that calms you and helps you to focus. There is music that is specifically designed to help you meditate, coaxing your brainwaves into a specific pattern. You can play upbeat music when cleaning the house or exercising. If you're feeling down you can listen to inspirational music.Music can have a big influence on your mood, increasing your ability to relax, making you feel good, increasing your focus and much more. When you choose music for yourself and the people around you, consider how you want to feel, then choose music that can help produce that feeling.
What Happened To Dance Music?
What is the first thing you hear when when you switch the radio on? If you are lucky enough to tune-in in time to actually catch some music, the chances are it's the latest breed of new-wave-new-rave-alternative-shouty-vocalised-indie-rock. (I call it guitar music for short.) Such has been the case for a number of years now, since the demise of the Higher States of Consciousness and the invasion of the Gallagher brothers in the early nineties. When perusing the archives of the Guardian Online, I came across an article entitled, "Bored of Dance" which documented the downfall of some of the UK's finest dance acts throughout the last decade. Fatboy Slim enjoyed less success in the Charts with the release of his last album, Palookaville, whilst the once popular magazines reporting the scene went out of business completely. Muzik, Ministry and Jockey Slut once supplied readers with news, reviews and future releases of all upcoming dance acts. Today, the sole survivor of the onslaught is Mixmag, fighting the good fight alone in a world full of "guitar music" magazines such as KERRANG, Metal Hammer and NME. But the question is, if dance music is as dead as they say, then why the huge queues to get into the clubs, and why are there still so many many festivals with self proclaimed "dance tents?" The answer is simple: Dance music never died, it simply morphed into something else. I believe it began when Bloc Party broke into the scene at the turn of the century. Their debut album, Silent Alarm forged a new sound that was just what dance fans needed - a mix of real instruments, fast beats and catchy basslines. Move on a few years and we now have the likes of The Klaxons, (champions of New Rave) Foals (Math-Rock anyone?), and The Futureheads. These bands seem confused as to where their loyalties lie. On one night they will be playing to a sell out crowd at Brixton Academy, whilst the next night sees them spinning tunes on the ones and twos at an underground warehouse party. Coincidentally, we have an abundance of dance acts with equally confused identities. Justice, Paris' latest dance act are a couple of skinny-jean wearing, leather jacket clad producers who are hell bent on redirecting the scene. Their fusion of overly-compressed basslines and quirky electro beats has won fans from every genre of modern music. Equally, Soulwax (headed up by Belgian brothers David and Stephan Dewaele) continue their two pronged assault on our ears through a combination of live shows and "mash up" mixes like never heard before.If the amalgamation of sounds presented here doesn't float your boat, try something a little more suited to Radio 2's playlist. LCD Soundsytem have recently released their second album, entitled Sound of Silver and present listeners with something that David Byrne would have been proud of. Their harmonious blend of real instruments, Casio keyboards and male vocals has proved a massive hit with music listeners young and old The effect of this on the music industry is quite the opposite to the Guardian's title, "Bored of Dance". A new breed of music created a new breed of fan and subsequently there are no longer any boundaries. So what if I like dancing the night away in a grimy London club, I'm still allowed to wear skinny jeans.So when you next hear someone say that dance music is dead, politely point out that dance music actually led the revolution that created the best sounds of this century. For the first time ever, rock, pop, breaks and beats all sit happily together under the same umbrella.
Creating Personalized Music for Personal Projects
The nowadays software tools are able to amaze everybody; these tools are taking intricate and complex tasks on a daily basis and they are able to transform all these time consuming tasks into a sort of child’s play. For instance, if you are thinking of creating Personalized music for children, the only thing that you will have to do is to find the proper program that is able to do the job. All the software tools are usually available at quite low prices and they are also likely to come along with added features and even better quality. The audio production software can be regarded as a genuine example because every personal computer is likely to have the necessary features in order to edit and record digital music. Recently, the exact same trend has developed into something else, namely the desktop music production. Therefore, you can have your own Personalized Music by using your existing computer together with the affordable software. No musical knowledge is needed and every video producer can create the necessary custom music in order to suit his projects. There are plenty of options when it comes to editing and recording music; these options are to be used in order to create your own custom music that will accompany every project you are thinking of. One reason for creating the custom music resides in the fact that you can actually decide the song length in order to suit your project levels. You can also control the content of the music and this control is to be provided; the control is to be connected with copyright or stylistic reasons. The music creation software is to be used in order to create Personalized music for children too because the kids will be delighted to hear their own names in the middle of a song. You can do this by using the software in order to introduce the child’s name in the chosen song.The software should be let to do its job by itself because the results are likely to be satisfying enough; check-box approaches will be offered by the software. The software will also contain all the pre-defined edit points that will divide the entire song into timed segments that are perfect for being recorded or edited. You may select the favorite music from a given list and you will have to tell the software how long it is going to last. You will have to inform the software about the exact number of seconds and minutes that are implied by every particular song; the software will be thus able to generate the final and finished product. The edit list is always to be taken into account when it comes to creating the Personalized Music. The edit list is the main tool that is used by the software in order to create the requested music; based on this list, the software will be able to build its own version of the requested song by using the criteria you have given to it. If you are not pleased with the way your software is doing its job when it comes to recording or editing music, you may redo the entire process in order to obtain the desirable result. You may also change some of the initial options in order to reconstruct the entire editing process. But you have to be perfectly aware that everything you are likely to gain when it comes to convenience and speed is likely to be offset by a certain lack of control over the software steps. But the results are likely to be consistently good; every software feature may help you create custom music quite fast because the automatic generation is to be used in this case.There are also some constraints that are affecting the normal use of such software; for instance, every user should be aware of the inherent difficulties because no protection scheme is likely to last forever. Any time content can be regarded as valuable enough; therefore, you should not feel motivated to find various ways in order to break all the protection mechanisms that were created in order to secure the digital music. Actually, almost every protection mechanism is subject to defeat; so, the most plausible countermeasure is the one that consists in the constant change of the designed protection.
Music - Expression of Emotions
We smile, we love, we cry. We, the human beings experience a wide spectrum of emotions in our life. Some of them are expressed while others die in our own mind. But from time immemorial, our emotions have been voiced through music. Music, which is composed of seven distinct tunes, is actually an expression of human emotions.
Music is characterized by certain qualities like, pitch, melody, rhythm, and frequency. And each type of music is again characteristic by certain degrees of these above mentioned qualities. A rhythmic music characterizes joy while a melody expresses romance. Again, a melody also expresses sorrows. For instance, Latin music is mostly featured by rhythm and certain genre of tune. Latin music is an expression of Bohemian lifestyle which very much complements Latin culture. Variation in melodies and rhythm leads to expression of varieties of emotions.If we look back to Western Classical, It connects us to something universal about human emotions. It makes us reach a transcendental stage of mind. However some composers opine that emotions conveyed through music is something quite abstract and varies according to the different perception of different individuals. One of the notable composers of Western Classical music was, Ludwig Van Beethoven, who gifted the world with musical masterpieces despite of being paralyzed with deafness at very young age (twenty eight). He can be regarded as the profounder of Romantic era of Western classical.
Eastern Classical or specifically Indian Classical music has a number of sections and categories. However the two major sections are Hindustani Music from North India and the Carnatic Music from South India. Each of the songs are known as "Ragas". The melodies contained in each of these "ragas" reflects various moods according to different times during the day. The Indian Classical music is mainly monophonic, that is, it is based on a single line of melody and has to be sung at a specific rhythm. Any deviation from the above rule is considered as a mistake.
Even Folk music conveys something about the culture and lifestyle of a particular region. To be more specific, it generally narrates some popular folk tales of that region.
When lyrics are put in a tune, it becomes a song. However, music can also be purely instrumental where one derives pleasure from the tune only. Beautiful notes of pianos, violin, guitars, expresses emotions without any words. Music can express most of human emotions. It expresses joy, ecstasy, romance, and also sorrows, pathos, and agony. In the words of P.B Shelly "Our sweetest songs are those which tells us our saddest thoughts".
Surprisingly, a simple song which is sung from the heart gives us more pleasure than a complex one which is often influenced by human artifacts. May be this is a reason why pop songs and rocks are also quite popular today. It is also quite true that likings for particular kind of music largely depends upon the temperaments of individuals. This is the reason why some prefer soft melodies while some like hard rocks. It can be reasonably argued that music is not only an expression of emotions, it is emotion itself. Music without an emotional message is like vacuum. It is like a flower without essence.
Music is characterized by certain qualities like, pitch, melody, rhythm, and frequency. And each type of music is again characteristic by certain degrees of these above mentioned qualities. A rhythmic music characterizes joy while a melody expresses romance. Again, a melody also expresses sorrows. For instance, Latin music is mostly featured by rhythm and certain genre of tune. Latin music is an expression of Bohemian lifestyle which very much complements Latin culture. Variation in melodies and rhythm leads to expression of varieties of emotions.If we look back to Western Classical, It connects us to something universal about human emotions. It makes us reach a transcendental stage of mind. However some composers opine that emotions conveyed through music is something quite abstract and varies according to the different perception of different individuals. One of the notable composers of Western Classical music was, Ludwig Van Beethoven, who gifted the world with musical masterpieces despite of being paralyzed with deafness at very young age (twenty eight). He can be regarded as the profounder of Romantic era of Western classical.
Eastern Classical or specifically Indian Classical music has a number of sections and categories. However the two major sections are Hindustani Music from North India and the Carnatic Music from South India. Each of the songs are known as "Ragas". The melodies contained in each of these "ragas" reflects various moods according to different times during the day. The Indian Classical music is mainly monophonic, that is, it is based on a single line of melody and has to be sung at a specific rhythm. Any deviation from the above rule is considered as a mistake.
Even Folk music conveys something about the culture and lifestyle of a particular region. To be more specific, it generally narrates some popular folk tales of that region.
When lyrics are put in a tune, it becomes a song. However, music can also be purely instrumental where one derives pleasure from the tune only. Beautiful notes of pianos, violin, guitars, expresses emotions without any words. Music can express most of human emotions. It expresses joy, ecstasy, romance, and also sorrows, pathos, and agony. In the words of P.B Shelly "Our sweetest songs are those which tells us our saddest thoughts".
Surprisingly, a simple song which is sung from the heart gives us more pleasure than a complex one which is often influenced by human artifacts. May be this is a reason why pop songs and rocks are also quite popular today. It is also quite true that likings for particular kind of music largely depends upon the temperaments of individuals. This is the reason why some prefer soft melodies while some like hard rocks. It can be reasonably argued that music is not only an expression of emotions, it is emotion itself. Music without an emotional message is like vacuum. It is like a flower without essence.
Legal Music Sites
Downloading music from the internet is not as hard to do as many people assume. Recently people have been weary to the fact that music sites have been sharing their music illegally. Certain websites, have in fact been downloading, and giving out MP3 songs without the artists permission. This means that the music artist has not been making money from their music hits. Instead, they have been losing money because nobody is buying their music albums, and instead getting illegal free music downloads. Before recently, it has been difficult to distinguish which music sites actually have free music downloads that are legal. When it comes to downloading music, there are a number of hints that can reveal whether or not the music site is legal or not. The first thing to consider when looking at different music sites, is whether or not the songs are downloaded music, or shared music files. Chances are, if they are shared, they are illegal. A lot of times, a source will download certain music hits into a network, and from there, millions of people get connected to that song. One way to immediately know if a song is downloaded illegally is to take note of when the sing is released. If a song is released on the music sites before the release of the music album, it has probably been downloaded illegally. When illegal music is downloaded, it is usually flagged. There are certain trackers that find the people who are downloading music illegally, and they get in trouble. Depending on how many songs the user has, will determine how much trouble they get into. Typically, the average person will have a couple hundred songs downloaded onto their computer, so the consequences might not be as drastic. However, in some cases, there have been entire music search engines that have been shut down because of the illegal music downloads.
Music For Your Hears
The word music comes from the Greek mousikê (tekhnê) by way of the Latin created it in "measure, number and weight". The proportions of the spheres of the planets and stars (which at the time were still thought to revolve around the earth) were perceived as a form of music, without necessarily implying that any sound would be heard—music refers strictly to the mathematical proportions. From this concept later resulted the romantic idea of a music of the spheres. Musica humana, designated the proportions of the human body. These were thought to reflect the proportions of the Heavens and as such, to be an expression of God's greatness. To Medieval thinking, all things were connected with each other—a mode of thought that finds its traces today in the occult sciences or esoteric thought—ranging from astrology to believing certain minerals have certain beneficiary effects.
Musica instrumentalis, finally, was the lowliest of the three disciplines and referred to the manifestation of those same mathematical proportions in sound—be it sung or played on instruments. The polyphonic organization of different melodies to sound at the same time was still a relatively new invention then, and it is understandable that the mathematical or physical relationships in frequency that give rise to the musical intervals as we hear them, should be foremost among the preoccupations of Medieval musicians.
Musica instrumentalis, finally, was the lowliest of the three disciplines and referred to the manifestation of those same mathematical proportions in sound—be it sung or played on instruments. The polyphonic organization of different melodies to sound at the same time was still a relatively new invention then, and it is understandable that the mathematical or physical relationships in frequency that give rise to the musical intervals as we hear them, should be foremost among the preoccupations of Medieval musicians.
Groove to Enthralling Pop Music
Pop music is the most awesome and popular genre in music. This genre is extremely famous and is acclaimed world wide. It is the music style of modern times and has led to a great revolution in the world of music. It is the awesome category of music which has broken various barriers of conventional and traditional music. This music is beyond the formal education in music or typical music styles. The sole reason of the immense success of this kind of music is its ability to muse and entertain people.The music is created with an intention to attract and appeal the masses. Anyone and everyone can enjoy this music without being an expert and connoisseur of music. It focuses more on entertainment than the artistic and expert conceptualizations. This music does not emphasize on the some particular music form. However, it simply gives the artist freedom to experiment with the various kinds of music and express them in their own styles.The genre is immensely famous amongst the youngsters and the teenagers. Its style has become the favourite of the masses due to its flexibility. People can easily comprehend it and relate to it. Pop songs are written with sheer goal of entertaining the audience. This music genre cannot be typified or classified as per one's style. This exquisite style comprises of different moods and it is sheer expression of the artist’s creativity that matters the most.Pop music is gaining popularity since 1950’s this great music style has overshadowed all its contemporaries. Played with the typical musical instruments like Guitar, Drum and electronic keyboards, the music is all about high spiritedness and fun. These music bands are very famous and people across the world admire them. The orchestra and the singers together comprise the pop band.Many popular artistes of the music genre have ruled the music world. Its lovers keenly wait for the release of the albums from their favourite artistes. The Beetles has been one of the most popular music bands in the world. They have ruled the music charts and people have loved their music crazily. Over the years the singers, song writers and the musicians played a vital role in the expansion and growth of the genre. Everyone loves to listen to this incredible music style.We are the World, Careless Whisper and Footloose are some of the most rocking hits of the 1980s. It was the era in which the genre gained its highest position. In 1990s, the music gained new heights with female artistes coming up with awesome pop music videos and songs. There were some awesome female singles released that outclassed the male performances. Vogue, The power of Love, Hold On and the Hero are the few outstanding numbers.Madonna, Shania Twain etc were some of the most admired pop stars of the last decade. Elton John came up with some of the most astounding Pop classics that gave the music immense popularity. Michael Jackson gained the greatest fan following with his unique style and incredible pop numbers.In the present times, the pop music has ruled the music world. No other genre is so popular and admired by the people. With young pop stars coming with innovative and sizzling numbers, this music is all set to achieve new heights. Britney Spears is one of the hottest pop icons of the new generation. Her deadly music videos like Oops! I did it Again, I am a Slave For You etc have made her the most desirable Pop icon amongst the teenagers. Beyonce Knowles' Crazy in Love, White Flag and other hits have also rocked the music fans the world over.Jennifer Lopez, Boy Zone, Spice Girls and other pop stars have given great entertainment to the people across the world. Shakira has set a new trend with her individual style with the smashing hits like Hips Don’t Lie and Whenever, Wherever. Hip hop based pop music video made waves, with great hits like Hot in Herre, Don’t Phunk With my Heart, India Club and Candy Shop. Latin Pop also became significantly popular with the amazing hit By Enrique – Hero. The Ketchup Song was also an outstanding hit in 2002. Pop music has enthralled people across the globe. Everyone should listen to pop music for great entertainment and rejuvenation
Groove to Enthralling Pop Music
Pop music is the most awesome and popular genre in music. This genre is extremely famous and is acclaimed world wide. It is the music style of modern times and has led to a great revolution in the world of music. It is the awesome category of music which has broken various barriers of conventional and traditional music. This music is beyond the formal education in music or typical music styles. The sole reason of the immense success of this kind of music is its ability to muse and entertain people.The music is created with an intention to attract and appeal the masses. Anyone and everyone can enjoy this music without being an expert and connoisseur of music. It focuses more on entertainment than the artistic and expert conceptualizations. This music does not emphasize on the some particular music form. However, it simply gives the artist freedom to experiment with the various kinds of music and express them in their own styles.The genre is immensely famous amongst the youngsters and the teenagers. Its style has become the favourite of the masses due to its flexibility. People can easily comprehend it and relate to it. Pop songs are written with sheer goal of entertaining the audience. This music genre cannot be typified or classified as per one's style. This exquisite style comprises of different moods and it is sheer expression of the artist’s creativity that matters the most.Pop music is gaining popularity since 1950’s this great music style has overshadowed all its contemporaries. Played with the typical musical instruments like Guitar, Drum and electronic keyboards, the music is all about high spiritedness and fun. These music bands are very famous and people across the world admire them. The orchestra and the singers together comprise the pop band.Many popular artistes of the music genre have ruled the music world. Its lovers keenly wait for the release of the albums from their favourite artistes. The Beetles has been one of the most popular music bands in the world. They have ruled the music charts and people have loved their music crazily. Over the years the singers, song writers and the musicians played a vital role in the expansion and growth of the genre. Everyone loves to listen to this incredible music style.We are the World, Careless Whisper and Footloose are some of the most rocking hits of the 1980s. It was the era in which the genre gained its highest position. In 1990s, the music gained new heights with female artistes coming up with awesome pop music videos and songs. There were some awesome female singles released that outclassed the male performances. Vogue, The power of Love, Hold On and the Hero are the few outstanding numbers.Madonna, Shania Twain etc were some of the most admired pop stars of the last decade. Elton John came up with some of the most astounding Pop classics that gave the music immense popularity. Michael Jackson gained the greatest fan following with his unique style and incredible pop numbers.In the present times, the pop music has ruled the music world. No other genre is so popular and admired by the people. With young pop stars coming with innovative and sizzling numbers, this music is all set to achieve new heights. Britney Spears is one of the hottest pop icons of the new generation. Her deadly music videos like Oops! I did it Again, I am a Slave For You etc have made her the most desirable Pop icon amongst the teenagers. Beyonce Knowles' Crazy in Love, White Flag and other hits have also rocked the music fans the world over.Jennifer Lopez, Boy Zone, Spice Girls and other pop stars have given great entertainment to the people across the world. Shakira has set a new trend with her individual style with the smashing hits like Hips Don’t Lie and Whenever, Wherever. Hip hop based pop music video made waves, with great hits like Hot in Herre, Don’t Phunk With my Heart, India Club and Candy Shop. Latin Pop also became significantly popular with the amazing hit By Enrique – Hero. The Ketchup Song was also an outstanding hit in 2002. Pop music has enthralled people across the globe. Everyone should listen to pop music for great entertainment and rejuvenation
Avoid Getting Sued for Playing Music for your Business
If you are a business owner or manager and are currently playing music in your venues or considering implementing music on hold, you need to be aware that the music you use must be licensed, or it will be considered illegal use of copyrighted music. If caught, you could be facing steep fines or possible legal action. The music industry is coming down hard on businesses that are unaware of or disregard proper licensing of copyrighted music, as is evident by a recent series of crackdowns on over two dozen venues in Seattle who failed to pay royalties on music they were playing. (ASCAP) The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, says that these venues have been performing copyrighted music without permission. ASCAP is now actively going after local businesses that have not been paying to use copyrighted music. According to their web site any music that is played outside a direct circle of family and friends is considered a public performance; this includes restaurants playing background music or commonly known as in-store music, DJs and music on hold over phone lines.Fortunately, if you are unwilling or unable to pay expensive music licensing fees but still would like to play music in your venues or implement music on hold, there is a less expensive alternative, Royalty Free Music. Unlike most music licenses, royalty free music only requires a typically low one time fee, and the purchaser is then free to use the music as often and in as many different ways as they like. The majority of music licenses stipulate how the music is to be used, and charge additional fees accordingly. If you’re looking for music you can use without being restricted by fussy contracts, you should consider royalty free music. One good source for royalty free music with clean and simple licensing terms is www.opuzz.com, one of the larger independent providers of quality royalty free music.If you’re interested in royalty free music for your music on hold or venues, but are hesitant about the quality and believe popular music is the only way to engage customers you can relax. In addition to being legal and affordable, royalty free music from reputable libraries can be as appealing as any music heard on the radio today. With cutting-edge technology and compositions by talented professional musicians, the quality of royalty free music is on par with popular commercial music. Because of the rising number of lawsuits being filed by the music industry against those who continue to implement music illegally, and the high cost of synchronization or needledrop licenses, royalty free music is becoming increasingly popular. It’s well worth the low fee, particularly if it keeps pricy lawsuits at bay plus it is easy to obtain. Music copyright laws are becoming increasingly more strict and complicated, and it is up to you to keep abreast of and act within these parameters. Pleading ignorance seems to be an unacceptable excuse with performance rights organizations like ASCAP and BMI. If you want to play music and not run afoul of the law seriously consider royalty free music. Get on-hold and on track with royalty free music.
Win Friends & Influence People Through Music -- Is It Possible?
The idea that studying music improves the social development of a child is not a new one, but at last there is incontrovertible evidence from a study conducted out of the University of Toronto.
The study, published in the August issue of Psychological Science was led by Dr. E. Glenn Schellenberg, and examined the effect of extra-curricular activities on the intellectual and social development of six-year-old children. A group of 144 children were recruited through an ad in a local newspaper and assigned randomly to one of four activities: piano lessons, voice lessons, drama lessons, or no lessons.
Two types of music lessons were offered in order to be able to generalize the results, while the groups receiving drama lessons or no lessons were considered control groups in order to test the effect of music lessons over other art lessons requiring similar skill sets and nothing at all. The activities were provided for one year.
The participating children were given IQ tests before and after the lessons. The results of this study revealed that increases in IQ from pre- to post-test were larger in the music groups than in the two others. Generally these increases occurred across IQ subtests, index scores, and academic achievement.
While music teachers across the country greeted the new research enthusiastically, in fact, many other studies have previously shown a correlation between music study and academic achievement.
In 1997, well known music researchers Frances Rauscher, Gordon Shaw and their team at the University of California (Irvine) reported that music training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children's abstract reasoning skills, the skills necessary for learning math and science. A group led by the same two scientists had earlier showed that after eight months of piano lessons, preschoolers showed a 46 percent boost in their spatial reasoning IQ.
The March 1999 issue of Neurological Research published a report by another group of researchers, also at the University of California (Irvine), who found that second-grade students given four months of piano keyboard training, as well as time playing newly designed computer software, scored 27% higher on proportional math and fractions tests than other children.
Students with coursework and experience in music performance and music appreciation scored higher on the SAT, according to a Profile of Program Test Takers released by the Princeton, NJ, College Entrance Examination Board in 2001. This report stated that students in music performance scored 57 points higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on the math, and students in music appreciation scored 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on the math, than did students with no arts participation.
Another part of this same study shows that longer music study means higher SAT scores. For example, students participating in the arts for two years averaged 29 points higher on the verbal portion and 18 points higher on the math portion of the SAT than students with no coursework or experience in the arts. Students with four or more years in the arts scored 57 points higher and 39 points higher on the verbal and math portions respectively than students with no arts coursework.
Another study also found support for a relationship between math achievement and participation in instrumental music instruction. The researchers found that students who participated in instrumental music instruction in high school took on the average 2.9 more advanced math courses then did students who did not participate.
In fact, various studies over the last 10 years suggest teaching kids music can heighten their aptitude for math, reading, and engineering. (One explanation for improved ability in mathematics is that music theory is based on mathematical truths. Rhythms are divided into fractions – half notes, quarter notes and eighth notes. Scales have eight tones, and the steps between them follow an equation.)
A McGill University study in 1998 found that pattern recognition and mental representation scores improved significantly for students given piano instruction over a three-year period. The researchers also found that self-esteem and musical skills measures improved for the students given piano instruction.
The study, published in the August issue of Psychological Science was led by Dr. E. Glenn Schellenberg, and examined the effect of extra-curricular activities on the intellectual and social development of six-year-old children. A group of 144 children were recruited through an ad in a local newspaper and assigned randomly to one of four activities: piano lessons, voice lessons, drama lessons, or no lessons.
Two types of music lessons were offered in order to be able to generalize the results, while the groups receiving drama lessons or no lessons were considered control groups in order to test the effect of music lessons over other art lessons requiring similar skill sets and nothing at all. The activities were provided for one year.
The participating children were given IQ tests before and after the lessons. The results of this study revealed that increases in IQ from pre- to post-test were larger in the music groups than in the two others. Generally these increases occurred across IQ subtests, index scores, and academic achievement.
While music teachers across the country greeted the new research enthusiastically, in fact, many other studies have previously shown a correlation between music study and academic achievement.
In 1997, well known music researchers Frances Rauscher, Gordon Shaw and their team at the University of California (Irvine) reported that music training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children's abstract reasoning skills, the skills necessary for learning math and science. A group led by the same two scientists had earlier showed that after eight months of piano lessons, preschoolers showed a 46 percent boost in their spatial reasoning IQ.
The March 1999 issue of Neurological Research published a report by another group of researchers, also at the University of California (Irvine), who found that second-grade students given four months of piano keyboard training, as well as time playing newly designed computer software, scored 27% higher on proportional math and fractions tests than other children.
Students with coursework and experience in music performance and music appreciation scored higher on the SAT, according to a Profile of Program Test Takers released by the Princeton, NJ, College Entrance Examination Board in 2001. This report stated that students in music performance scored 57 points higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on the math, and students in music appreciation scored 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on the math, than did students with no arts participation.
Another part of this same study shows that longer music study means higher SAT scores. For example, students participating in the arts for two years averaged 29 points higher on the verbal portion and 18 points higher on the math portion of the SAT than students with no coursework or experience in the arts. Students with four or more years in the arts scored 57 points higher and 39 points higher on the verbal and math portions respectively than students with no arts coursework.
Another study also found support for a relationship between math achievement and participation in instrumental music instruction. The researchers found that students who participated in instrumental music instruction in high school took on the average 2.9 more advanced math courses then did students who did not participate.
In fact, various studies over the last 10 years suggest teaching kids music can heighten their aptitude for math, reading, and engineering. (One explanation for improved ability in mathematics is that music theory is based on mathematical truths. Rhythms are divided into fractions – half notes, quarter notes and eighth notes. Scales have eight tones, and the steps between them follow an equation.)
A McGill University study in 1998 found that pattern recognition and mental representation scores improved significantly for students given piano instruction over a three-year period. The researchers also found that self-esteem and musical skills measures improved for the students given piano instruction.
Music & Emotions: Can Music Really Make You a Happier Person?
How many times have you turned to music to uplift you even further in happy times, or sought the comfort of music when melancholy strikes?
Music affects us all. But only in recent times have scientists sought to explain and quantify the way music impacts us at an emotional level. Researching the links between melody and the mind indicates that listening to and playing music actually can alter how our brains, and therefore our bodies, function.
It seems that the healing power of music, over body and spirit, is only just starting to be understood, even though music therapy is not new. For many years therapists have been advocating the use of music in both listening and study for the reduction of anxiety and stress, the relief of pain. And music has also been recommended as an aid for positive change in mood and emotional states.
Michael DeBakey, who in 1966 became the first surgeon to successfully implant an artificial heart, is on record saying: "Creating and performing music promotes self-expression and provides self-gratification while giving pleasure to others. In medicine, increasing published reports demonstrate that music has a healing effect on patients."
Doctors now believe using music therapy in hospitals and nursing homes not only makes people feel better, but also makes them heal faster. And across the nation, medical experts are beginning to apply the new revelations about music's impact on the brain to treating patients.
In one study, researcher Michael Thaut and his team detailed how victims of stroke, cerebral palsy and Parkinson's disease who worked to music took bigger, more balanced strides than those whose therapy had no accompaniment.
Other researchers have found the sound of drums may influence how bodies work. Quoted in a 2001 article in USA Today, Suzanne Hasner, chairwoman of the music therapy department at Berklee College of Music in Boston, says even those with dementia or head injuries retain musical ability.
The article reported results of an experiment in which researchers from the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, Pa., tracked 111 cancer patients who played drums for 30 minutes a day. They found strengthened immune systems and increased levels of cancer-fighting cells in many of the patients.
Music affects us all. But only in recent times have scientists sought to explain and quantify the way music impacts us at an emotional level. Researching the links between melody and the mind indicates that listening to and playing music actually can alter how our brains, and therefore our bodies, function.
It seems that the healing power of music, over body and spirit, is only just starting to be understood, even though music therapy is not new. For many years therapists have been advocating the use of music in both listening and study for the reduction of anxiety and stress, the relief of pain. And music has also been recommended as an aid for positive change in mood and emotional states.
Michael DeBakey, who in 1966 became the first surgeon to successfully implant an artificial heart, is on record saying: "Creating and performing music promotes self-expression and provides self-gratification while giving pleasure to others. In medicine, increasing published reports demonstrate that music has a healing effect on patients."
Doctors now believe using music therapy in hospitals and nursing homes not only makes people feel better, but also makes them heal faster. And across the nation, medical experts are beginning to apply the new revelations about music's impact on the brain to treating patients.
In one study, researcher Michael Thaut and his team detailed how victims of stroke, cerebral palsy and Parkinson's disease who worked to music took bigger, more balanced strides than those whose therapy had no accompaniment.
Other researchers have found the sound of drums may influence how bodies work. Quoted in a 2001 article in USA Today, Suzanne Hasner, chairwoman of the music therapy department at Berklee College of Music in Boston, says even those with dementia or head injuries retain musical ability.
The article reported results of an experiment in which researchers from the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, Pa., tracked 111 cancer patients who played drums for 30 minutes a day. They found strengthened immune systems and increased levels of cancer-fighting cells in many of the patients.
Music For Healing, Relaxation, and Wellness
From a powerful national anthem to church hymns and classical masterpieces, music has always been able to evoke emotion, affect your mood, and influence the brain and body. Scientific studies throughout the years have proven how beneficial music can be both emotionally and physically. However certain types of music are better suited for healing than others. For example, you may find that while you truly enjoy rock music, this music may not be the most ideal music for your own emotional or physical needs.Generally speaking, you want to search for music which is soft, soothing, and geared toward relaxation or meditation. Many classical music recordings have these qualities as do New Age compositions. You can even acquire music which is specially geared toward meditation, yoga, and other wellness programs. I highly recommend the music of Daniel Kobialka for all of your wellness and meditation needs. Mr. Kobialka's focus is the rejuvenative power of music. He has led didactic and interactive workshops and seminars, traveled the world bringing his violin virtuosity to hospitals from Beijing, China to Plainville Ohio, and recorded music for meditation and guidance with alternative healing pioneers including Joan Boreysenko and Bernie Siegel. "If you are seeking healing, inspiration or spiritual fulfillment, you will discover in Kobialka the transformative power of music," Larry Dossey, M.D.Music has always been loved and embraced by the public, from catchy jingles that influence their purchases to cherished childhood songs that bring back a nostalgia for friendlier times. As such, it is no surprise that science, as well as medicine, have turned their attention to the therapeutic powers of music."Music, the undefined sounds of universal language," says Daniel Kobialka, "has the remarkable ability of speaking to each of us in a very personal and profound manner."The many uses of music in therapeutic situations vary largely and may include, but are not limited to, motor skills, social/interpersonal development, cognitive development, self-awareness, and spiritual enhancement.The idea of music as a tool for healing dates back to the beginnings of history, and some of the earliest notable mentions in Western history are found in the writings of ancient Greek philosophers.Robert Burton wrote in the 16th century in his classic work, The Anatomy of Melancholy, that music and dance were critical in treating mental illness, especially melancholia (depression).Using music and sound for healing is not yet a mainstream practice, however many groups have already begun to implement music therapy to their advantage. For example, some schools have initiated programs including music to benefit their student's learning abilities. They have begun to hire therapists or other specialists who use music to strengthen nonmusical areas such as communication, physical coordination, teamwork, or even math.If this article still hasn't convinced you of the value of music for healing, consider the case of Dr. Michael J. Crawford and his colleagues, who in November 2006, again found that music therapy helped the outcomes of Schizophrenic patients.His study showed conclusive evidence of the value of music in healing therapies. His November 2006 study included a total of 115 patients. Of these 115 patients, 81 of these were were subjected to various music therapies. Multiple methods of analysis demonstrated a trend towards improved symptom scores among those which were subjected to healing music therapy, especially in the area of reducing symptoms of schizophrenia. They further concluded that the effects as well as cost-effectiveness of music therapy for acute psychosis should be further investigated in further trials.As you can see, there is a strong case for the value of music in everyday wellness as well as for your health and even to assist in the care of specific ailments. You can use music as a wellness method in your own home in a variety of ways, such as setting aside 15 minutes when you wake up in the morning and before bed at night to listen to relaxing music and calm your mind. You may also wish to listen to healing music on an mp3 player or CD player while you work during the day, if it is possible in your workplace to do so, or if you work from home. You can also play soothing, healing music for your pets or to even calm down and relax a baby!Music can be used in such a large variety of ways for healing both our bodies and minds that you simply can't go wrong by listening to this type of music! Even if your normal playlist includes rock, country, or even rap, you too can appreciate the benefits given by listening to relaxation music. There are such a large variety of styles, instruments, and cultural influences available in healing music that you can usually find something to suit everyone. So give music healing a try and start feeling the benefits today!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The Drm Controversy and How it Affects your Legal Mp3 Music Downloads
Getting legal mp3 music downloads from legal music download sites is a great way to get high quality music files that are completely free of the piracy issues that you have with music downloads from file sharing programs. But legal music download sites are not free of controversy. Most of the popular online services provide music lovers with song tracks that have DRM attached to them. Depending on the particular DRM scheme, there will be limits to what you can do with the music you’ve purchased. This article will help you gain a better understanding of the DRM controversy and how it affects your legal mp3 music downloads.What Is DRM?DRM is the acronym for digital rights management or digital restrictions management. Digital rights management is a system that provides music lovers like you and I to get legal downloads of copyrighted music while ensuring that the owners of those rights control the digital distribution of that work over the internet. DRM also acts as an internet toll booth; it makes sure that the artists and record labels owning those rights get paid for giving access to their music. It sounds pretty reasonable – after all, no one has a problem with Maroon 5 or Universal Music getting paid for giving us access to their music. But consumers do have a problem with the limits digital restrictions management places on them.Why Digital Rights Management Is So ControversialIn actual practice digital rights management has proven to be very controversial. While it protects the financial interests of the copyright owner, it has restricted the rights of music loving public that pays for legal music downloads. Limits can be placed on the number of devices the music can be played on, the number of times you can burn a CD or the number of times you can actually play a download. But the big rub is the lack of ownership rights to the music you’ve paid for. You simply don’t enjoy the same rights to legal mp3 music downloads that you do with a CD you buy from Wal-Mart. However, the tide is starting to turn because online music services like Apple iTunes and Wal-Mart Music Downloads have launched DRM-free music download services. Until DRM-free music becomes more widespread, there are some things you need to be aware of when you download music from legal music sites.What You Really Need To KnowBefore you whip out your credit card to join any legal music download service, you need to know whether or not there’s any DRM attached to the music files in their catalog. Not all legal music sites have rights restrictions. Services with music files in MP3 format are free of digital restrictions, but those in AAC or WMA format have some restrictions. The basic scheme allows you to play your streaming music downloads as long as you pay for your music subscription. Music purchased per download can be played after you end your subscription, but as I mentioned earlier in this article, there will be limits to the number of hardware devices the tracks can be played on or how many times you can burn that track on a CD. Ultimately your own preferences will determine how much of an impact these restrictions will have on your legal mp3 music downloads.
Avoid Getting Sued for Playing Music for your Business
If you are a business owner or manager and are currently playing music in your venues or considering implementing music on hold, you need to be aware that the music you use must be licensed, or it will be considered illegal use of copyrighted music. If caught, you could be facing steep fines or possible legal action. The music industry is coming down hard on businesses that are unaware of or disregard proper licensing of copyrighted music, as is evident by a recent series of crackdowns on over two dozen venues in Seattle who failed to pay royalties on music they were playing. (ASCAP) The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, says that these venues have been performing copyrighted music without permission. ASCAP is now actively going after local businesses that have not been paying to use copyrighted music. According to their web site any music that is played outside a direct circle of family and friends is considered a public performance; this includes restaurants playing background music or commonly known as in-store music, DJs and music on hold over phone lines.Fortunately, if you are unwilling or unable to pay expensive music licensing fees but still would like to play music in your venues or implement music on hold, there is a less expensive alternative, Royalty Free Music. Unlike most music licenses, royalty free music only requires a typically low one time fee, and the purchaser is then free to use the music as often and in as many different ways as they like. The majority of music licenses stipulate how the music is to be used, and charge additional fees accordingly. If you’re looking for music you can use without being restricted by fussy contracts, you should consider royalty free music. One good source for royalty free music with clean and simple licensing terms is www.opuzz.com, one of the larger independent providers of quality royalty free music.If you’re interested in royalty free music for your music on hold or venues, but are hesitant about the quality and believe popular music is the only way to engage customers you can relax. In addition to being legal and affordable, royalty free music from reputable libraries can be as appealing as any music heard on the radio today. With cutting-edge technology and compositions by talented professional musicians, the quality of royalty free music is on par with popular commercial music. Because of the rising number of lawsuits being filed by the music industry against those who continue to implement music illegally, and the high cost of synchronization or needledrop licenses, royalty free music is becoming increasingly popular. It’s well worth the low fee, particularly if it keeps pricy lawsuits at bay plus it is easy to obtain. Music copyright laws are becoming increasingly more strict and complicated, and it is up to you to keep abreast of and act within these parameters. Pleading ignorance seems to be an unacceptable excuse with performance rights organizations like ASCAP and BMI. If you want to play music and not run afoul of the law seriously consider royalty free music. Get on-hold and on track with royalty free music.
The Benefits Of Learning Music Theory
That's music to my ear is a common phrase used to express a person's emotional response to how a particular tune can make them feel. Some people listen to music all the time. Some study the art of playing an instrument. It's therapeutic; it's enriching; it's a way of creating moods in any environmental setting. If you are interested in music for more than the pure enjoyment people get out of listening to it, then learning about music theory is an ideal mode for you.Music theory can be an important attribute in a person's life, for many reasons. People often ask, "Is music theory necessary?" "Why do we need it?"First of all, even though you don't have to understand how to read sheet music to perform as a musician, you will need an understanding of music theory. It opens so many other doors for you in the world of music. Music theory will not show you how to understand music, but with music theory you will be able to communicate musical ideas, explore music in whole new ways, and redefine the tremendous scope that entails the magical world of music. Music theory allows you to voice your opinion with others in the field, expand your musical horizon. Give a little input to a fellow musician and you'll get something in return.Notations And Communicating With Other MusiciansMusic lovers all develop a keen sense of awareness, musically speaking. Sometimes, musicians explain that if they study music theory, then it'll stunt their creativity. Wrong! The world's greatest composers were all masters of music theory: Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, J.S. Bach. These experts composed a keen understanding of the theoretical concepts. Years were spent studying the concept, down to some of the smallest details.Music can be played by ear, picking out tunes without the aid of written music. Your ears can be your guide. The reason this is brought to light is that some musicians with strong theoretical training often disregard the art of playing by ear.Think of playing music by ear this way: We're all born as non-verbal creations. Communication begins with crying, making sounds, displaying body language. Parents quickly become experts on baby talk. It's an innate sense. Over time, language develops by mimicking sounds. Toddlers don't learn nouns and verbs; they learn to speak by example. Music can be the same way. Hence, the reason so many people pay top dollar for live performances. It's invigorating, magical.Understanding Harmony And Chord ProgressionChord progression and harmony, two features of music theory, help broaden any musician, regardless of their genre of study. Chord progression is a series of chords that are used to harmonize music. All compositions use chord progression. Those that improvise - which, as already mentioned, adds charm and magic to the environment of music - invent brand new melodies that blend in with an existing chord. It's a musical transition, something that must be practiced, repeatedly. The great composers and musicians develop chord progressions and transitions until it becomes natural, a second-natured maneuver.If a musician improvises in a more interconnected manner, these new melodies show the musician the progression as one whole unit, and not a series of bumpy transitions. The more practice that goes into this aspect of music learning theory, the more interesting substitutions they will develop along the way. Once the concept of chord progression and its structure is understood, it will be easier to remember. Jazz musicians, therefore, show a keen interest in the study and analysis of chord progression.The study of music theory will show musicians and musical scholars that the objective, initially, is not to consider an entire composition in one sitting. Instead, musicians, students and teachers alike, view a chord progression in segments, or units. These units correspond to musical sections known as stanzas.A stanza is the complete statement and development of a single musical idea. It's a fairly simple act of dividing pieces into small manageable sections, with the melody itself forming, or suggesting the boundaries for sound.Tonality, another element of chord progression, means different things to different people. Some would consider it to be this: any piece of music with a well-defined key center. Others envision any music that uses the conventional chords as tonal. Music without the use of chords in a functional manner to reinforce a tonal center is not tonal. It is referred to as non-tonal music. The names of these styles are not always agreed upon between musical connoisseurs. But expressing difference is one key element that makes music such a beautiful art form, with countless possibilities.So, if you are considering studying music, be it to play an instrument, teach music, or simply hone in on personal curiosity, learning music theory is a must for you.
Music Trivia
Myths surrounding music trivia are plenty. Many people believe that music trivia is not for serious musicians or music lovers, although no body can deny that music trivia is highly effective for information dissemination on music, albums, artists, genres, etc. You need not pay hefty to get authentic information on music. Music trivia can be a lucrative proposition. There are huge numbers of trivia sites with an exclusive section for music trivia. Most of these sites are free and you need not pay anything to get your dosage online music trivia, pop music trivia, country music trivia, and much more. Be it free online music trivia, pop music trivia, country music trivia, rock music trivia, music trivia questions, or facts and factoids, information that we offer are always authentic. In other words, rest assured that whatever you learn about music is authentic fact. Interactivity is a definite plus in music trivia. Most trivia sites put up interesting music trivia questions and quizzes. You can learn about music, your favorite musicians, group, albums, and participate in various online music trivia quizzes to rate yourself and even challenge others. Submit questions on music trivia, music quizzes, free online music trivia, and literally, anything related to music that might interest millions of music lovers. Today, most trivia sites have an all-inclusive database that comprises free online music trivia, pop music trivia, country music trivia, music trivia quizzes, and great many music trivia questions. Hence, finding a trivia website should be difficult, but you need to check out the quality of information provided. Any popular trivia website makes music entertaining. In other words, you will never ever realize when you have become a powerhouse of information after participating in music trivia quizzes.
The Music of Middle Earth - an Analysis on the Use of Music in the Film: "the Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was the first movie in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, based on the popular fantasy books written by J.R. R. Tolkein. The movie was a blockbuster hit at both the box office and at the Oscars. The story, in and of itself, is creative, captivating and magical. But even a wonderful story can flop when put onto the big screen. Cinematography, special effects, visual effects and the quality of acting all play an important part in making a story “live” for an audience. Music also plays a vital part in making a movie successful. Music can make us feel that we are in another place and time. It captures our emotions by creating an ambiance of happiness, sadness, tension, fear or excitement. Music helps suspend our disbelief about the fantasy of the story. It helps us identify with distinct characters, places and cultures. The music of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, does all of these things. Through music, composer Howard Shore successfully takes us to Middle Earth. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring takes us to another time and place. Howard Shore’s music tells us that we have left our world before we’ve seen even the first frame of the film. As the screen fades from black into the New Line Cinema icon, we hear music. The music has an Eastern sound, using woodwind instruments from Africa and East India. The sound is quaint and mysterious. It gives us the feeling of being in a far away land and contributes to the suspension of disbelief that helps the audience subconsciously consent to be taken to a place with which they are not familiar.The mystical music that we hear during the first few moments of the film is soon joined by a voice – the voice of the Elf queen Galadriel, of Lothlorien. This music that we hear is the theme of Lothlorien. Every time that we see or hear of Lothlorien or Galadriel, we hear a version of this theme. Peter Jackson, director of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, understood the importance of a musical score in a movie. He said, "The music score to any film, obviously, is very important because it guides your emotions when you're watching the film. The actors can do their job, the director can do (his) job in terms of creating a certain mood and emotion, but using music is so strong and evoking of what you should be feeling at any given time."Jackson continued, "I wanted the music (of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring) to reflect Tolkien. I wanted the music to also bring the world of Middle Earth to life." Howard Shore the composer said, "Tolkien spent fourteen years writing The Lord of the Rings. And now you're writing a musical image, creating a musical mirror, if you will, to his writing. And I mention this so often - even in other discussions - and I feel like Frodo. I did feel like that. Like I have this amazing journey to take, and I had the ring in my vest pocket and 'You were chosen, now you're going to write the music to Lord of the Rings. And, you have to do it."Peter Jackson added this regarding the huge task that Howard Shore had in composing the music for the The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, "It's doing two jobs at once. It's underscoring the film. It's providing an emotional link - a bridge between the movie and the audience - and it's drawing the audience in. But it's doing it in such a way that it's also telling you a lot about the cultures of this world."Therefore, every major place, race and character in this movie has a musical theme attached to it. This film has a large number of characters, cultures and races. The distinct races, geography, trees, nature, and the earth itself were a big part of Tolkein’s story. It would have been very easy for the audience to become confused trying to distinguish between the many peoples and places of Middle Earth. Giving each of these elements a musical theme makes them live as individual characters, all contributing to the essence of Middle Earth.The Shire, for example, is the place where the Hobbits live. The Hobbits are a peaceful people and they live a quiet life. Any sort of adventure is a scandal. They are an agrarian society and live as part of the land. Even their homes are burrows in the ground. Howard Shore uses music to “describe” Hobbits and the Shire to the audience. Their theme is very light and cheerful. A slide flute accompanied by a full orchestra give a Celtic or Irish feel. This accomplishes the feeling of another time, but brings the audience a little closer to home and gives a feeling of comfort. A solo violin carries the melody for a while until the full string section finishes the theme, but whenever the Shire is mentioned or referred to in the movie the score refers us back to the slide flute.The Fellowship, made up of people and creatures from different races, has its own distinct theme. “As the two Hobbits leave Hobbiton and set out on their own, you hear the first statement of the Fellowship theme in the corn field, because it's essentially the first time that the Fellowship is formed," said Mr. Shore.When the four Hobbits are on their way to the village of Bree, they are running from the “Nasgul”, or Ring Wraiths. There is very little dialogue during this scene. Our emotions are heightened and we feel the tension of the moment through the musical score. This is accomplished largely through dissonance. Our ears like to hear nice chords. Notes that are close to each other in value sound terrible to us. In the theme of the Ring Wraiths, the chords that clash are used to make us to feel uncomfortable. The movie makers want us to squirm in our seats. They want us to feel fear. The French horns are playing staccato quarter and eighth notes in a building rhythm while the strings are on descending eighth notes that continually clash. Add a men’s choir chanting an Elvish poem and it makes for a very confusing and intense moment.Then while in the village of Bree, the Hobbits think that they are finally safe. We see images of them sleeping in their beds smiling. The scene then cuts to the Ring Wraiths coming into the village. The dissonant music becomes louder. Cut to the inn keeper’s face in horror as the Wraiths enter his inn. Cut to the peaceful Hobbits in their beds. All the while, dissonant and ancient sounding music is playing loudly. Then silence. As the Wraiths approach the Hobbits in their beds there is silence. This adds to the tension. We hold our breaths. This is a stroke of genius. Knowing when to not have music, or score, is just as important as knowing when to include it.As soon as the Wraiths discover that they were tricked, however, the angry dissonant Wraith theme returns with a fury to remind us how serious the situation is. Even though the Hobbits are safe for the moment, they will never really be secure or free until they have accomplished their goal. The music reinforces this to the audience, as a version of the Wraith theme plays softer while Frodo watches the Wraiths from across the street from the Inn.The Ring itself has an interesting theme. The Ring, though an inanimate object, is a character of its own. Its essence is evil and its intent is to deceive and enslave. The theme of the Ring portrays all of that through instrumentation and dissonance. It is appropriate that the main instrument used for the theme of the Ring is the oboe. The oboe is the instrument used to charm a snake out of a basket. It is also often associated with seduction, or allure. The ring certainly personifies that. Frodo, Bilbo, Gollum and many others were seduced, even addicted, to the Ring. The wizard, Gandalf, goes to visit his superior and mentor, Sauraman, at the tower of Isengard. We believe at first that Sauraman is still a friend to Gandalf. Once the story reveals that Sauraman has turned to the side of darkness, the musical theme, as well, “tells” us that the tower of Isengard is a place of evil. Howard Shore uses several methods to give that feeling. Dissonance is used to portray a feeling of uneasiness or apprehension. Also, during the musical theme for the Tower of Isengard, Howard Shore uses an odd way of timing so that we feel off balance. Anytime that we see the tower of Isengard and the forging of weapons, Mr. Shore adds a beat to throw us off and make us feel uncomfortable. We are used to hearing music in common time (or four-four time), with four beats to each measure, and that feels right to us. The industrial sounding theme uses a five-four time which makes us uncomfortable by adding an extra beat to each measure. Also, French horns are used for the main melody, but Howard Shore also relies on the bass drum, tympani and a chime or bell to give the effect of a hammer pounding away down in the depths of the caverns underneath the tower.Rivendell, a city of the Elves, has a theme of its own. This is a western haven for the Elves. We feel the peace and the beauty of the city, as well as its antiquity, through the music. This is quite different from the theme of Lothlorien. We are made to feel comfortable here at this place.When the Fellowship leaves Rivendell and sets out on its journey, the theme of the Fellowship is fully revealed. The theme is naturally lyrical, aimed at the brass, but is restrained by a fully mixed and realized string section. The music is heroic and we feel the importance of their quest. We are excited and proud of them for making the decision to destroy the Ring and save Middle Earth.
Making of Classical Music
Classical music is governed by some known conventions that have its roots in a variety of forms, genres, styles and historical periods. These features together go in defining the term ‘classical music.’ Music rated as classical has always made its thumping presence felt. With the evolution of the popular music forms, the dominance of the classical form has not diminished. In-fact, it further magnified with new forms and codes.There are several factors that define Classical Music. These can be classified under the following heads:-Instrumentation - This is one way of classifying the classical genre of music. Different instruments are brought to use for creating the symphony that make it classical. Various string instruments like violin, string, woodwind instruments, brass instruments and other diverse percussion are commonly used to give this form of music a unique style. However, nowadays electronic instruments like electric guitars are occasionally brought to use.Form and Technical Execution – The classical form generally take the form of a song, symphony, dance music, chamber suite, symphony, concerto, electronic music and more. The composition of this form of music requires expertise as a lot of complexities are involved in arriving at a balance between its emotional content and the music that accompanies it. The Classical Guitar Music is one such example of complex composition.Complexity – The complexities involved in making of classical works are not just confined to instruments and beats. But a lot of it lies in the development, modulation, musical phrases and even length and variations of tones. A perfect combination of all these features results in the development of a perfect symphony of music. In-fact, the large scale classical works are built from smaller units of musical compositions.Society – The classical forms of music maintains a repute of being a choice of the upper-level society. The music has never been popular among the working class. However, it is not compulsory as most of the classical musicians fall in the middle class range. The Classical Music CD buyers and concert goers also include the middle class audience.Timeline – This form of music passed through several stages. It has its roots ingrained in medieval times, even dating back to ancient Greeks. The form has evolved a lot in the present age. It still has major time divisions like the Medieval (476 – 1400) and Renaissance (1400 – 1600). Then there is the common practice period that includes Baroque (1600 – 1750), Classical (1730 – 1820) and Romantic Periods (1895 – 1910). The modern contemporary period includes 20th Century Classical (1900 – 2000) and contemporary classical (1975 to current).The form of music which is preserved as classical is primarily a written musical tradition. These written works are then given expression in the form of recordings, oral transformations and musical notes. Music plays an effective role in transmitting classical notations. The written instructions, however, do not have explicit instructions. But, music does help to build the mood of a classical masterpiece. It helps in better understanding of the masterpieces.A great influence of the classical form of music lies in its cultural durability. It is interesting to note its evolution from past to the present form. The form has taken materials from popular music and folk music. Yet it retained its originality and showed up as updated versions of the classical masterpieces.The commercialism of classical music has popularised it among the people. Now, DVDs of the latest versions of classical music are available in retail stores. The prices of the DVDs are kept low and so all income group people can buy the DVDs from the Classical Music Stores. People now need not go to a theatre to watch a performance. In-fact, theatre comes to home in the form of the DVDs.The classical music CDs have made it very simple for people to get acquainted to classical forms of music. Most of the current masterpieces are compiled in CDs and sold in the market. This has made it possible for people to have a library of the classical form of music at their homes
Country Music- the Soulful Rhythms
No matter what your preferences are, no matter what kind of disposition you have- you simply cannot refrain yourself from being mesmerised and enticed by music. Since its inception, music has been the most loved source of entertainment and people with different tastes and likings admire several kinds of music. It has different kinds and forms. Across the world different kinds of music has evolved with the emergence of distinctive civilizations and the characteristic nature of the people in different countries etc. The influence of music can be felt in every corner of the world. Various genre of music like rock, pop, classical, jazz etc have been immensely applauded by the people. Country Music is also well accepted and admired by the music listeners across the globe. This highly melodious and mellifluous form of music is awesomely pure and subtle. Unlike the conventional pop and metal music, this genre is known for its flawless and soft rhythms that are soothing to the ears and pleasant to the soul. Many popular artists have given amazing performances and great albums that have remarkable influences from this music. These albums have achieved admirable success and recognition from the listeners. Country music is a remarkably enticing genre of music that focuses on the melodies and the rhythms. It is identified by its immensely mellifluous tones and upbeat numbers. It is a blend of various distinctive music forms from across the world and mainly has influences from the music that was originated in the southern parts of the United States and the region of Appalachian Mountains. Around 1920, this category rapidly evolved and gained popularity among the masses. This kind of music has its roots in the various traditional and classical types like folk music, old times music, Celtic music, gospel and the blues. In the southern United States the various ethnic groups created music of different styles and the combination of all these styles emerged as the Western Music that comprises a major part of the country and western music. There have been a number of artists and performers who have gained immense popularity with this genre of music. Elvis Presley, who was earlier known as The Hillbilly Cat was one of the biggest pop icons in the history of music. He won recognition through his immensely admirable country music performances. He was featured on the radio program Louisiana Hayride where he used to give amazing performances based on this music. Similarly Garth Brooke is one of the most appreciated country based music artist whose albums were chart toppers. He made short debut in other genres too. This genre saw its greatest high in the year 2006 when the country albums sales increased by the 17.7 percent to a whopping 36 millions. The country pop has its roots in the soft rock and the country-politan which emerged as a sub genre of this music in the 1970’s. It was well accepted by the wide variety of audiences during the same decade. The singers like John Denver, Glen Campbell and Anne Murray were some of the most admired artists of this genre. "RhineStone Cowboy" by Campbell is amongst the best and biggest crossover music hits. The songs in this music CD are still hummed by the teenagers and youngsters. Olivia Newton John is considered as the best female country vocal performer. Outlaw country revolutionized this genre of music completely with the derived Honky Tonk sounds of late 1950’s. After 1935, the Western Swing Big Band leader Bob Willis used drums as the major instrument in his band Texas Playboy. The drums were readily used by the country musicians and the rockabilly groups till 1955. Later, they became significant in the country bands also. The electric guitar was used in the bands that were originated in the beginning of 1938. Arthur Smith achieved immense success with the Guitar Boogie a MGM records album that declared the beginning of guitar as the most influential instrument in the country band.
The Music of Many Lands
IT HAS often been said that music is an international language. Proof of this is the folk music of the world. Enjoyment of it is not confined to the land of its origin. People can and often do enjoy hearing the music of lands other than their own. Getting acquainted with the music of other lands can be a delightful experience.If you were to travel to every section of our earth you would find that each nation or group of people has its own characteristic songs and dances. Each one has contributed its own “accent” to the “language” of music. And this “accent” is generally so distinctive that a person can identify the land in which a certain song or dance originated, in much the same way that he can tell a foreigner’s nationality by his accent.Most folk music was not composed by professional composers. Some of it has existed for thousands of years. In early times tunes were made up by musically inclined persons and these were handed down from generation to generation. The words of songs dealt with love, peace, war, drinking, fictional characters and amusing incidents. And people danced to the tunes, each group developing its own style.So when people got together on social occasions in village marketplaces, in homes or around campfires, they sang and danced to music that had been handed down from their forefathers. Of course, the topography and climate of their land as well as their history, language, customs and temperament helped to mold their songs and dances. And these are the things that give each group’s folk music that peculiar “accent” that identifies it as belonging to them.The Music of EuropeMuch of the greatest music of the Western world was produced in Europe. From the seventeenth century onward a number of outstanding musical composers wrote a great quantity of music both for instruments and the voice. Their orchestral music called for many stringed instruments, as well as the wind and percussion types. Their beautiful concertos featured a solo instrument with an orchestra for accompaniment. And there were moving works that called for a large chorus of voices along with an orchestra.Europe is known for its operas. As the play is acted out on a stage, with sets and costumes, the presentation is made more moving because the words are usually sung rather than spoken. An orchestra accompanying the singers adds dramatic effect. Operettas, like operas, have plots, but they are lighter and the music is gay.Oratorios began in this part of the world. These compositions usually deal with Bible history. No stage props and costumes are used. Soloists sing the various parts, and a chorus and orchestra are employed. G. F. Handel wrote great Biblical oratorios dealing with Joseph and his brothers, Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, Joshua, Deborah, Jephthah, Samson, Saul, Solomon, Athaliah, Belshazzar and the fall of Babylon, Esther and the Messiah. In many of these thrilling masterpieces the divine name Jehovah appears.At times these composers dug into the treasury of European folk music. They would either use a folk tune outright or would compose a melody having the distinctive characteristics of a nation’s folk music. At the beginning of their composition they often indicated that it was in the style of the music of a certain land.As for the folk music of Europe, the most distinctive is that of Spain. The Moorish occupation of this land from the eighth to the fifteenth century C.E., as well as Gypsies, left their imprint on Spain’s music. Perhaps no other people have as many different kinds of dances as do the Spanish, yet that Spanish “accent” of vitality is evident in all of them. Adding to this “accent” are the instruments used by their folk musicians, namely, the guitar, the tambourine and the castanets with their clacking sound.The Western music of Europe might be said to find a basic representative in the German. It stresses the bright-sounding major scale and is rich in harmony. Italian music is generally more melodious than is German, and is much lighter. The folk music of the French is also very melodious; however, the emphasis in their music is usually more on rhythm.The Oriental flavor in European music is especially apparent in that of Russia. This could well be due to the Mongols who overran that country in the thirteenth century. Also, the deprivation of the people under the despotic czars no doubt helped to give Russian music its minor, sad strain. Further, the long, bleak winters there contributed to this melancholy “accent.”Scandinavian music might be said to lie somewhere between that of the Germans and that of the Russians. Finnish music seems to have an Oriental tinge about it. However, many folk tunes of Denmark and Holland are quite similar to German folk music. Polish folk music shows both Russian and French influences.Today it is usually the Europeans living in the country who do not merely listen but sing and dance their folk music. Those living in the cities are more inclined to go to concert halls and to listen to music on the radio.That Latin-American “Accent”Latin-American music is a combination of Spanish, African and, depending on the country, native Indian music. In this music the African influence is especially noticeable in the greater use of drums, the strong stress on rhythm and on variety in rhythm. Examples of these characteristics are found in such dances as the conga, the rumba, the samba and the beguine. In these dances, as well as others, the rhythm is sharply defined, being highlighted by drums and other percussive instruments. It is this quality that makes this music so catchy and moves one to want to dance to it.Among Latin Americans there are many who like to have music all the time—and loud. So it is not unusual for them to have music on the radio all day long and frequently far into the night, with the volume turned up full blast. Cafés with jukeboxes and shops with radios add to the sound that can be heard by a good part of the neighborhood. At social affairs a band may be hired, or a phonograph turned up to full volume may provide the music. Of course, preferences vary. In some sections, people will pick up a guitar or accordion and provide their own music, singing or dancing together
Music Made in Japan
THE origins of traditional Japanese music reach back more than a thousand years. Included are classical or refined music, chamber music, theater, folk and festival music, as well as a host of vocal forms. This treasury of music was passed on from generation to generation without the help of musical scores.Between the third and fifth centuries C.E., Buddhist missionary priests came to Japan to spread their views. The chants and background music associated with their religion gradually merged with the Shinto traditional music, forming a basis for nearly all native Japanese music.By the seventh century this music of Japan developed into what became known as Gagaku, the classical (literally, “elegant”) music. From Gagaku, which became the music of the imperial court, the secular use of instrumental music grew, as did theatrical music. Meanwhile, folk and festival music appeared, with its loud drumming and lively rhythm, contrasting sharply with the quiet music of Gagaku.The InstrumentsToday many instruments are employed in traditional Japanese music. The three most commonly heard are the koto, shakuhachi and shamisen.The koto, imported from China around the ninth century, is a long wooden box-type instrument about six feet (1.8 meters) long and one foot (.3 meter) wide. With the instrument lying before him, the seated player plucks its 13 strings with a plectrum. A skillful player can produce music that pleasantly resembles that of the harp.The Japanese bamboo flute, measuring about 21 inches (53 centimeters) in length, is called shakuhachi. This instrument has five finger holes, and a mouthpiece at the upper end. The player holds the shakuhachi vertically. By skillfully adjusting his lips to the mouthpiece at varying angles and moving his neck into different positions as he covers the holes with his fingers, the instrumentalist is able to produce three octaves of tones. The plaintive wail produced by this flute may generate feelings of vagueness and melancholy.The shamisen has no counterpart among Western musical instruments. It came to Japan from China by way of Okinawa around the year 1560 C.E. But only the instrument is an import. The manner in which the shamisen is played, the kind of music produced with it and the construction of the instrument itself are strictly Japanese. It looks somewhat like a banjo, is made of wood covered with cat skin, and has three gut strings. The shamisen is played by striking the strings with a large plectrum.When music is produced on the shamisen, the most important thing is not the sound of the instrument but the words for which the music provides the background. Without the words, the music has little meaning. It varies according to the meaning of the song. When words fail to express what is to be conveyed, such as the cold of falling snow or the trickling of a brook, the shamisen is used to “imitate” these things, and the story is told without words.Appreciating the MusicWhat is the composite effect produced by Japanese instrumentalists? If you are listening for the first time, your reaction may be that you are hearing the same thing over and over again. It may seem that you are listening to a kind of melody, and yet there appear to be conflicting melodies. But there is something delightful about seeing the musicians perform. Their movements, posture and expressions all appear to be choreographed and in perfect harmony. Yes, in Japan, not just the music, but how it is played and how the performance looks to the observer are important.Japanese music is very different from the music common in Western lands. This difference includes the scale, the rhythm and the sound. In Western orchestral music, sounds from the various instruments blend, producing harmony. But in Japanese music the individual instruments can be heard playing conflicting melodies. Nevertheless, together they create an aesthetic balance.Western InfluenceIn the last 100 years, the Western style of music has become the norm in Japan. Under Emperor Meiji’s reform, music began to be taught in the schools, and it was the music of the West. In spite of this, there is no danger that the ancient traditional music will die out. Many Japanese people want to preserve the traditional music. Therefore, the various guilds that perpetuate this music and teach it continue to thrive.Because music of the Western world has become so much a part of Japanese culture, one can find old Japanese songs written in Western notation and scored for the piano or guitar. Also, in the last century many new Japanese songs have been written according to the Western style. But it cannot be said that these are truly Western songs. Rather, the Japanese simply have used a medium to enrich their own musical heritage. The development is music with a distinct Japanese flavor, though scored and played in the Western style.
Latest Trends in Online Music
The internet is becoming popular in such a fast pace that you can feel the presence of the internet in all areas. Now a days music has become popular because of these online music videos. People can avail any kind of music from any where only just sitting beside a computer having an internet. Online music videos have broken the barrier of language, society and country for which music is getting attention of all music lovers. If you have passion for good music then you just have to go to various online music websites to avail your favourite tune.
Due to online music people don’t have to wait anxiously to see their favourite artist playing music. They just have to log on to any music website and can watch their favourite artist playing music. Beside this the music fanatics can also enjoy other advantages like they don’t have to hear songs that are getting repeated. This is a common problem you will face in music TV shows where music VJ play songs which start repeating after some time. The music lovers beside hearing songs they can download pictures, wallpapers of various music bands, artist and new music album releases. Beside this they can also perform various functions like stop, fast forward, rewind, skip and replay.
Now lets talk about the marketing of the online music websites.
Once you have made an website on online music then you have to make it popular so that people visit to your site and hear songs or watch music videos from your site.
Same thing is applicable for musicians also. Once they launch their music album they have to plan their strategies to successfully market the music online. It is not at all a easy task. You have to plan a smart strategy.
Music Marketing is always an art in its own right. You have to do proper research and have to do hard work. If your luck favors then you can be the next full time musician
Besides online marketing the musician or the singer has to promote their music in various music news channels and music magazines.
Every day the business on music is changing. It is becoming tougher and tougher. The competition on music has become very high. The major music brands are now a days signing less and less undiscovered artists. Thus the artist are not getting any permanent label or brand to sell their music. Even if someone gets any fixed brand, they will get less opportunity to sell it.
This means that more and more new singers will get chance to sing in the albums. The brands have to spend less money on the new singers and they can have more albums in one single year at same cost. Thus the individual artist will get the carve out niche of their own.
Due to online music people don’t have to wait anxiously to see their favourite artist playing music. They just have to log on to any music website and can watch their favourite artist playing music. Beside this the music fanatics can also enjoy other advantages like they don’t have to hear songs that are getting repeated. This is a common problem you will face in music TV shows where music VJ play songs which start repeating after some time. The music lovers beside hearing songs they can download pictures, wallpapers of various music bands, artist and new music album releases. Beside this they can also perform various functions like stop, fast forward, rewind, skip and replay.
Now lets talk about the marketing of the online music websites.
Once you have made an website on online music then you have to make it popular so that people visit to your site and hear songs or watch music videos from your site.
Same thing is applicable for musicians also. Once they launch their music album they have to plan their strategies to successfully market the music online. It is not at all a easy task. You have to plan a smart strategy.
Music Marketing is always an art in its own right. You have to do proper research and have to do hard work. If your luck favors then you can be the next full time musician
Besides online marketing the musician or the singer has to promote their music in various music news channels and music magazines.
Every day the business on music is changing. It is becoming tougher and tougher. The competition on music has become very high. The major music brands are now a days signing less and less undiscovered artists. Thus the artist are not getting any permanent label or brand to sell their music. Even if someone gets any fixed brand, they will get less opportunity to sell it.
This means that more and more new singers will get chance to sing in the albums. The brands have to spend less money on the new singers and they can have more albums in one single year at same cost. Thus the individual artist will get the carve out niche of their own.
Learn About Hindi Karaoke Music
You may not know it, but Hindi karaoke music is very popular nowadays. This Indian karaoke music is not just enjoyed by the Indians themselves, but people from around the world. As such, you should definitely learn as much as you can about Hindi karaoke music. Indian karaoke music is also known as Indian pop. The short term for Hindi karaoke music is actually ‘indi pop’, and it is very popular among the one billion members of the Indian population. Because Hindi is the main language of Hindi karaoke music, these have wide mass appeal. To trace the legacy of Indian karaoke music, we will need to go back to the decade of the 80s. This was the birth of Hindi karaoke music, beginning with Nazia Hassan. This person is a Pakistani singer dedicated to flourishing the Indian karaoke music scene. Nazia Hassan is also the person who introduced the popular Hindi karaoke music áap jaisa koi meri zindagi mein aaye' along with the musical scoring of the popular Biddu. Together, they were able to rock the country and created a demand for Hindi karaoke music in a nation that has long been embracing classical music. The younger Indian generation fully accepted it immediately, as the adults gave it a hand as well.
Latest Trends in Online Music
The internet is becoming popular in such a fast pace that you can feel the presence of the internet in all areas. Now a days music has become popular because of these online music videos. People can avail any kind of music from any where only just sitting beside a computer having an internet. Online music videos have broken the barrier of language, society and country for which music is getting attention of all music lovers. If you have passion for good music then you just have to go to various online music websites to avail your favourite tune.
Due to online music people don’t have to wait anxiously to see their favourite artist playing music. They just have to log on to any music website and can watch their favourite artist playing music. Beside this the music fanatics can also enjoy other advantages like they don’t have to hear songs that are getting repeated. This is a common problem you will face in music TV shows where music VJ play songs which start repeating after some time. The music lovers beside hearing songs they can download pictures, wallpapers of various music bands, artist and new music album releases. Beside this they can also perform various functions like stop, fast forward, rewind, skip and replay.
Now lets talk about the marketing of the online music websites.
Once you have made an website on online music then you have to make it popular so that people visit to your site and hear songs or watch music videos from your site.
Same thing is applicable for musicians also. Once they launch their music album they have to plan their strategies to successfully market the music online. It is not at all a easy task. You have to plan a smart strategy.
Music Marketing is always an art in its own right. You have to do proper research and have to do hard work. If your luck favors then you can be the next full time musician
Besides online marketing the musician or the singer has to promote their music in various music news channels and music magazines.
Every day the business on music is changing. It is becoming tougher and tougher. The competition on music has become very high. The major music brands are now a days signing less and less undiscovered artists. Thus the artist are not getting any permanent label or brand to sell their music. Even if someone gets any fixed brand, they will get less opportunity to sell it.
This means that more and more new singers will get chance to sing in the albums. The brands have to spend less money on the new singers and they can have more albums in one single year at same cost. Thus the individual artist will get the carve out niche of their own.
Due to online music people don’t have to wait anxiously to see their favourite artist playing music. They just have to log on to any music website and can watch their favourite artist playing music. Beside this the music fanatics can also enjoy other advantages like they don’t have to hear songs that are getting repeated. This is a common problem you will face in music TV shows where music VJ play songs which start repeating after some time. The music lovers beside hearing songs they can download pictures, wallpapers of various music bands, artist and new music album releases. Beside this they can also perform various functions like stop, fast forward, rewind, skip and replay.
Now lets talk about the marketing of the online music websites.
Once you have made an website on online music then you have to make it popular so that people visit to your site and hear songs or watch music videos from your site.
Same thing is applicable for musicians also. Once they launch their music album they have to plan their strategies to successfully market the music online. It is not at all a easy task. You have to plan a smart strategy.
Music Marketing is always an art in its own right. You have to do proper research and have to do hard work. If your luck favors then you can be the next full time musician
Besides online marketing the musician or the singer has to promote their music in various music news channels and music magazines.
Every day the business on music is changing. It is becoming tougher and tougher. The competition on music has become very high. The major music brands are now a days signing less and less undiscovered artists. Thus the artist are not getting any permanent label or brand to sell their music. Even if someone gets any fixed brand, they will get less opportunity to sell it.
This means that more and more new singers will get chance to sing in the albums. The brands have to spend less money on the new singers and they can have more albums in one single year at same cost. Thus the individual artist will get the carve out niche of their own.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
